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Raleigh, NC -- North Carolina's new health secretary is trying to ensure the transition to a new Medicaid claims processing system goes smoothly and without unnecessary expenses.

Secretary Dr. Aldona Wos announced Friday there won't be any more changes to the 1970's-era billing computer system unless absolutely required. She says outside consultants also have been hired to find any obstacles to the replacement system starting up July 1.

Republican legislators are skeptical about the replacement for the billing system that currently processes 88 million claims and writes $11 billion in checks annually to cover more than 1.5 million Medicaid enrollees.

A state audit was critical of the project as behind schedule and costing more than originally projected.

Computer Sciences Corp. is building the new system. HP Enterprise Services manages the current system.